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West of Eungwang High, in the bamboo forest.
There was a quiet hanol in the forest where bamboo was tall and dense.
The bamboo forest was calm, and fresh air flowed around the hanok.
The window was half open, and through it, a colorful light that didn’t match the hanok could be seen.
The lights were nail-sized cherries on a tree that was small enough to climb on both palms.
Kim Yuri brought the trees and accessories to this place.
‘I wanted to increase the Christmas spirit here, but did I make a mistake?’
Kim Yuri came to the bamboo forest instead of spending Christmas Eve with her friends and family because she knew that something big would happen today.
Still, it was her first Christmas as a high school student, so she brought a tree.
Jukho was happy to see the small tree brought by Kim Yuri.
She brought a small table in front of the window to decorate.
Jukho was always happy with whatever Kim Yuri brought, but he didn’t know what he should bring himself.
‘I heard there’s a big fight going on inside the school. Is it tactless to create a Christmas spirit? I’m sure my classmates would be fine… right?’
When Kim Yuri stared at the small tree, endlessly wishing for her classmates' safety, the air suddenly dropped in temperature.
At first, she thought it was just her mood, but the chill soon permeated her whole body to the point where her fingertips were shaking.
Several voices roared in her ears at the same time as the chill poured in.
It was the whispers of those who could induce her light skill.
She could only hear fragments, but the voices were telling her to run away, head to where the water was, and get out of the forest.
‘If the forest guarded by Jukho sunsaengnim’s power becomes this cold, that must mean something has happened. And the voices of superior beings…’
Kim Yuri’s expression clouded when she realized that the forest was under attack.
Then, an easy voice came from the side.
It was a woman with thick hair.
“It’s very cold. Let’s close the window.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll close it now!”
Kim Yuri gently got up from her seat and closed the window.
There were more guests in the hanok other than Kim Yuri.
Hwangho personally introduced that woman of royal lineage, but Kim Yuri didn’t hear her name.
Hwangho laughed and said that she’d hear her name once they got close.
Still, Kim Yuri guessed her identity to some extent based on Hwangho and the woman’s conversation.
— It’s still like dog hair.
— Because it is. Your fur looks young.
— Because I am.
Kim Yuri guessed that her classmate was a high-ranking being of the Tiger Clan, the Hwangho of the myths.
He would’ve confirmed it if she asked, but Kim Yuri didn’t bother.
Hwangho didn’t try to hide himself anyway, so there was no need to ask.
Seeing that he spoke with the woman and referred to her as “dog,” that woman must be of the Dog Clan.
She must hold a high position as well seeing that she spoke comfortably with Hwangho.
The problem was the other one.
‘I can vaguely guess who she is, but I have no idea who the other one is.’
Kim Yuri’s eyes turned to the animal that was rolling at the Dog Clan’s foot.
The animal was about the size of a large dog, about the size of a four-legged animal as high as her knee, but its appearance was…
Grrr…
The unidentified animal felt Kim Yuri’s gaze and rang her neck low.
She couldn’t understand it, but it didn’t seem to like it that much.
But anyone can’t take their eyes off that animal.
‘It’s definitely not a cat. It’s not a leopard or a jaguar. It’s a tiger, right?’
Why could that Dog Clan woman be carrying around a tiger?
And why is that tiger obeying the dog?
Perhaps because it’s the Tiger Clan’s territory.
No, then shouldn’t the Dog Clan be following the tiger and not the other way around?
Kim Yuri didn’t know, but the identity of the woman was the head of the Dog Clan, and the animal was the Dog Clan’s Shinsoo which borrowed the image of a tiger.
And now, the Shinsoo of the Dog Clan wasn’t happy with the fact that it had to be in a tiger form in the area of the Tiger Clan and that he couldn’t see the Tiger Clan’s Shinsoo who he hadn’t met for a long time.
“I thought you’d be arrogant because you said you were a tiger’s student, but you’re nice. It’s nice that you brought that tree for Christmas.”
On the other hand, the head of the Dog Clan was quite pleased with Kim Yuri who was puzzled.
She first looked at Kim Yuri with a little fed-up expression, saying “Is she the one related to Lady Magnolia?” but now she seemed to be fond of her.
“We’re going to fight soon, but it’s nice to wait like this. It’ll be a dog mess if you fight too.”
For the head of the Dog Clan, she was using the word “dog” negatively.
Kim Yuri didn’t know, but she seriously considered whether she should use expressions related to dogs to relate to the clan head.
‘…Someone’s here.’
When she closed the window, the inside of the hanok was protected from the cold air by the power of Jukho.
However, while the cold air filled the bamboo forest, someone seemed to have entered.
She felt a strong force on the school side, and the sign of the uninvited guest didn’t disappear even as the cold air subsided.
The voices of superior beings grew louder and louder in Kim Yuri’s mind.
“Now that it’s less cold, we’ll have to deal with uninvited guests.”
Krrr!
The head of the Dog Clan and the Shinsoo, who were sitting leisurely, rose from their seats.
As if to reassure Kim Yuri, the head of the Dog Clan spoke.
“This bamboo forest looks elegant, but in essence, it’s a tiger’s den. I don’t know what kind of crazy people are invading, but they must’ve lost their minds.”
Kim Yuri knew that the forest was deeply related to the Tiger Clan.
However, it didn’t immediately sink into her when the woman called it a tiger’s den.
As soon as Kim Yuri smiled vaguely, a clear voice was heard along with the scent of bamboo leaves.
“She’s right. This place is essentially a tiger’s den.”
“Teacher, welcome back.”
“Yes.”
Jukho, who had been away for a while, said that he had to meet someone.
The head of the Dog Clan spouted words rather than exchanging friendly greetings.
“Are they all listening?”
“Well, this is a tiger’s den, so it’s all in the tiger’s ear.”
“Hahaha…”
Jukho opened the closed window and fixed it again so that the small tree could be seen well.
The window was open, but it wasn’t cold anymore.
“It’s time to punish that stupid beast who doesn’t fear the tiger’s den.”
Jukho turned his back to touch the tree, his expression hidden.
He added a word.
“Since people who are hard to meet said they will help, I think the cow hunting will end faster.”
At the end of Jukho’s words, someone came into Kim Yuri’s sight.
She was surprised because she thought it was a momentary hallucination, but Jukho was watching them.
Through the open window, two people in plain white masks with only eyes and mouths opened were walking through the bamboo forest, limping.
***
The light skill was activated as soon as I passed the set point.
I checked once to see if the fog was spreading in time and then retreated out of its range.
‘Is it because Sung Siwan’s with him? He’s got the timing right.’
Mist of Night Silence inhibits energy waves.
It was appropriate to deal with those whose abilities were limited because they were reluctant to reveal their identity.
It was a very uncomfortable move since it required trust in Gye Idam’s ability, personality, and origin, but I had no choice because this was the most efficient.
Whether it was rewarding to endure it, or as evidence that the measure worked effectively, I heard the voices of the royal lineages in the thick fog.
“My energy waves dropped. I can’t wield the blade!”
“Permission to use light skill…”
“I will use a derived skill.”
However, their leader immediately scorned them.
“No. We can’t mess things up just because of a student. Actualize your weapon item cards!”
The Cow Clan seemed to have immediately discovered how to attack the fog.
The fog hinders energy waves, but it can’t seal physical attacks.
Just as I beat Gye Idam with the Sangbosimgeumpa despite his fog.
When the Cow Clan held item cards, the last trap of Class 3-0 was activated.
“Gooo! Show your strength!”
“Euuahhh!”
Kugugugu…!
Led by Woo Kihwan, CLass 3-0 rushed toward the Cow Clan.
The last trap prepared by Class 3-0 against Im Yeonhwa was their long-trained bodies.
The seniors knew that they would never win against Im Yeonhwa in terms of abilities and skills.
The odds were barely seen when they prohibited the use of energy waves and challenged her one-to-many.
Therefore, they repeatedly trained and bulked up in hell throughout their school years.
Their records of defeat made them strong today.
“No, What..!”
“They’re teenage students, stay calm!”
Kwang! Hit! Pow!
The sound of weapons and fists clashing in the fog rang out nonstop.
The seniors are at an advantage both in number and physical ability.
“You weak royal lineage, you have neglected your training by trusting only your natural body and abilities!”
“You’re nothing compared to our homeroom teacher! She has natural physical abilities but trains well!”
“You can’t knock us down with your poor muscles!”
Before the leader raised his hand to order a temporary retreat, another group emerged from the fog.
It was Jiikhoe, led by Sung Siwan.
Sung Siwan was amazed to see Class 3-0 deal with the Cow Clan.
“Really, you guys are… You’re really about to graduate. We can’t lose either! Let’s go!”
Series of fights began in the fog.
The Cow Clan tried to belatedly invoke skills and light skills, but their energy waves were already eroded by the fog, and it would be slow to gather waves than defend themselves from flying fists.
No matter how long the Cow Clan lived, they couldn’t endure if they continued to be beaten like this.
But there were exceptions among them.
They abandoned their allies to pursue me alone.
He followed me through the fog, out of the war.
‘There’s one left.’
On the cloud bridge between the white rock canyon and the black rock canyon.
I saw a lone Cow.
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